“A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral.”
~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Sunset and Butte, Sedona
Plaza Blanca, NM
Cathedral Rock, Sedona
“I wish that all of nature’s magnificence, the emotion of the land, the living energy of place could be photographed. “
~Annie Leibovitz
Sunrise Ride, Sedona
Morning Contemplation
Sunset Butte, Sedona
“The mountains are calling and I must go.”
~John Muir
Plaza Blanca Tower
Mountain Biker, Mescal Trail
The White Place, NM
“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.”
― Lao Tau
Ridgeline
Cathedral Rock Panorama, Sedona
Canyon of Fools
Amazing pictures, Jane! Are they the same like the Grand Canyon? They are nature’s monuments 🙂 It’s also nice to see the contrast between the Cathedral Rock and Plaza Blanca Tower / The white place. I like the picture with the hotairballoons very much but also the panoramic pictures, especially “Sunset Butte, Sedona”. 🙂 Well done, Jane!
Warm regards, Heidi
Hi Heidi, Thank you! Sedona is relatively close to the Grand Canyon. The entire southwest is pretty magical. I’m glad I got up for sunrise to see those hot air balloons rise. So peaceful and beautiful Glad you enjoyed and I appreciate your thoughtful comments!
“The mountains are calling and I must go.”
For that reason I have to go to the SW of the USA!
My heart beats for stone 😉
Your website shows different things. I like it, because my passion is diversity! Best wishes Simone
Thank you, Simone. I hope you get there sometime soon…amazing colors and shapes. So glad you enjoyed them.
Gorgeous shots of a gorgeous place. 🙂
Thank you so much, Imelda. So glad you enjoyed them. 🙂
Amazing rock piles amorously photographed
Thank you, Abrie. These places were incredible to hike around and photograph. Glad you enjoyed!
Oh my god! I have no words! The best post of the day for me!
Thank you very much.
Just spectacular.
Thanks so much, Julie. 😊
Another magnificent series Jane, with your panorama of Sunset Butte being my favorite ~ it makes me want to prepare a trip there for my next vacation 🙂 Also, have to say it was nice to see with your last shot, a canyon named after me 🙂
Ha, Randall, you made me laugh. 🙂 I bet there have been some aptly named people hiking down there in the heat of the summer.
I am really enjoying the panorama feature on the Fuji X-T2. Seamless and good quality. Glad I whet your appetite for a trip to the southwest and thanks very much for your encouraging reaction.
Apparently I have been absent. Such beauty. I love the hot air balloons.
Thank you, Lisa! So glad you like them.
PS. Glad to hear there is life going on outside of the blogging world. For both of us! 🙂
Hee, hee. Valid point.
It is gorgeous country around Santa Fe and Sedona. I’ve been to the Santa Fe area a few times, but just passing by Sedona. The “Canyon of Fools”, the name alone suggests you may want to think twice before hiking it. 🙂
Hi David, It really is wonderful in these areas. I hope you get to spend some time in Sedona…even though it’s gotten built up, you still feel like you are “one with nature” when you’re out there. I wouldn’t go into Canyon of Fools in the summer… 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and I’m glad you enjoyed these.
amazing nature…boy did u capture its greatness….great eye!!!!
Thanks so much, April. We had a great time in this incredible part of the country.
Great photographic tribute to such a special place Jane
Thank you, Andrew. That means a lot. We had such a good time.
Oh, how I’d love to be in those hot air balloons!
Such truly beautiful photographs, Jane.
Thank you for sharing them.
Hi Lisa, Me, too! They looked so peaceful floating over the buttes at dawn. Such a wonderful sight. I’m glad you enjoyed–thank you!
Beautiful photos, Jane. The light that you have captured is wonderful.
Hi Susan, Thank you so much. We lucked out with a few rainstorms that brought the dramatic clouds and light. Pleased you enjoyed them.
Exquisite! A lovely portrait.
Thanks so much, Reluctant Poet. Much appreciated.
I like the immediacy of the first Sedona sunset, Jane.
Ω
Thank you, Allan. What a good way to describe it. Glad you enjoyed it.
Breathtaking Jane. How could you even travel between those places and return to us without years off to meditate on them?
You are so right, Eddie, people seek out the known vortexes to meditate. It’s all so serene. Glad you enjoyed these– thanks so much.
Thank you, for your excellent photos, to at least dream of these places
That makes it all worth it, Eddie. Thank you.
Simply awesome 🙂
Thank you very much, Joshi. Nature’s wonders… 🙂
Glorious photos Jane and the light on Sedona is stunning. I love this quote too :“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.” We “found” Sedona by accident when heading somewhere else and were amazed by the scenery.
How wonderful that Sedona found you, Pauline! You must have been thrilled and amazed to happen upon it. 🙂 Pleased these brought back good memories. Thanks so much.
Gorgeous, Jane!! It is a magical place, isn’t it?
Hi Patti, Thank you! It sure is…very peaceful hiking and majestic vistas. The rocks are so fascinating as the light changes. Glad you have been!
Last month, actually! Every time I go, I’m astounded at the beauty. The hiking is great too.
We may have crossed paths! 😄
Awesome photos of an awesome place.
Thank you so much, Dor. Happy you enjoyed these landscapes. 🙂
Stunning collection Jane!
Thanks so much, Nicole. I am assuming you have been? We sure had a great time despite the spring breakers! 🙂
Yes, we went a few years ago on our way to the Grand Canyon. I loved it! So beautiful!
What an awesome, awesome place, Jane! And you’ve captured it beautifully!
Thank you, de Wets! You would love it, I am sure. The light and colors are astounding. 🙂
Really lovely shots Jane have a great day!
Thanks very much, Karen. And to you, too! 🙂
Beautiful places. I hope to be able to visit USA again and see them as well.
Hi Awa, Thank you. Once you are in this area, there are lots of National Parks and sites that are within a reasonable distance. Glad you found these enticing. 🙂
Beautiful images! You’ve captured the beauty and drama of the “rocks” and clouds around Sedona, Jane. I’ve not been to Santa Fe, but can see that it has the same majestic feel.
Hi Ellen, Thank you so much. It is so expansive and beautiful it’s a little overwhelming to capture. Glad you like them. We enjoy Santa Fe especially getting outside of town. The White Place is near there in Abiquiu.
simply impressive and stunning!!
Thank you so much, Mihran. It is overwhelmingly beautiful there. Glad you enjoyed!
Sedona is amazing, and practically unknown in the UK. I am so glad I got the chance to visit a few years ago. And your photos are simply stunning, as usual.
Thank you, Jude. I’m happy that you have been–it is a special place– and surely discovered here. Glad the photos brought back good memories. 🙂
Beautiful photos! I especially like the Plaza Blanca Tower
Thank you, Roy. Plaza Blanca is in Abiquiu, NM, an hour from Santa Fe. It is amazing.
Very beautiful again. The deep reds and oranges one only finds over there.
Thank you very much, Peter. The colors are astounding. I have some images of the glowing rock at sunset — it was astounding to see and honestly, the image straight out of the camera almost looks fake, it’s so rich. Next post! 🙂
This is absolutely stunning! Everything. The photography and the quotes. Very well done!
Thanks very much, Alexandria. Glad you like the combination- it was easy to be inspired in these majestic places.
Great images of one of my favorite areas.
Thank you, Bruce. It is one of mine, too. Still as magical as ever. 🙂
The title you picked for this wonderful post and photos fits perfectly!
Thank you, Belinda. Glad to read that– there is a certain reverence being in these majestic places. Happy you enjoyed this one.
Such beautiful landscapes!
Thank you so much, Rebel Girl. Happy you enjoyed them.
Wonderful dramatic landscapes!
Thank you, Sue. It was great to revisit them for some inspiration. Pleased you enjoyed the landscapes.
I just wish I could be there!
I love this series, Jane, especially as I’m getting ready to travel to the Four Corners area on May 1. The ultimate road trip! I will be in a peripheral area around Four Corners, CO, NM, UT, AZ, but I’ll miss some of these places further west. These are beautiful photos. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thanks so much, Cathy, and that’s great you are going to Four Corners. We stopped there on one of our cross country drives. Are you hitting Monument Valley? I’m glad you are inspired and I hope you have a wonderful trip!
I have so many places I’m going, Jane. Every park within a reasonable perimeter of Four Corners, including Arches, Canyonlands, Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly, Chaco Culture, Mesa Verde, and the San Juan Skyway Tour! I can’t wait. 🙂
I’m looking forward to your trip too Cathy
Thanks Pauline. I’ve still got a lot to do to prepare, so the time will go quickly I think. I leave May 1. 🙂
All I could say is WOW Jane 😀 These images are phenomenal.
Thank you, Joe! I lucked out with some brief storms (and hail) that brought in great clouds and light. So glad you enjoyed them. 🙂
Spectacular natural scenery and magnificent series of photographs. An extraordinary work.
Hi Charly, Thank you very much. That means a lot coming from you. Much appreciated.
How gorgeous can it get and you have certainly done the place justice.
Thank you, Paula. It is rather overwhelming– the size of the formations, the light, the colors…so that means a lot.
I’ve been there 25 years ago. Sedona is an awesome place and your pictures are beautiful!
Thank you, Petra. I’m so glad you’ve been there! The population has exploded since you’ve been there but the rocks and colors are still amazing.
HI Jane. Oh really? 25 years ago I travelled for 6 month through your beautiful country and that’s why I enjoy your blog so much, because it brings me to all the wonderful places again 🙂
Fabulous images Jane, thanks for sharing. Brian.
Thanks so much, Brian. It was wonderful to see these incredible colors and rocks again.
The living energy of a place! I think you’ve captured it here, Jane. 🙂 🙂
Thank you, Jo. I’d like to think I felt the energy coming from the vortexes. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed the landscapes.
This is the third time in a week that my attention has been drawn to Sedona — do you believe in the significance of repeated coincidence?
I do indeed, Terry, and I think you better be on your way to find your vortex in Sedona. I never found mine, but it’s well worth a try! Glad you enjoyed the series– thanks very much.
Majestic!
Thank you, Diane! Hope all is well with you.
Magnificent architecture well captured, Jane. I can feel the power of these places through your photos. ‘Plaza Blanca Tower’ in particular, is stunning.
Well done. We (Spirit Vision Photography) Santa Fe and the Taos are too.
Russ & Suzanne
Thanks very much, Eliza. It is truly awesome walking among these formations. Pleased you enjoyed them.
Just magnificent….
Thank you so much, Linda. It was a wonderful week.
Canyon of Fools, that’s a good favorite! 🙂 These are a treat to look at, Jane. The panoramas capture the scope of those landscapes well. I didn’t know about Plaza Blanca, and I love those photos – hopefully I will see it one day. I’ll disagree with Saint-Exupery, at least in the literal sense – I am so happy to let a rock pile be just a rock pile, and to not need to imagine it as a cathedral. It is glorious just as it is. But in the end, we probably feel the same way. And though I understand Leibowitz’s wish, I’m glad it can’t all be photographed. Beautiful photographs, leaving us a little hungry for more, and that’s OK. 🙂 Enjoy your weekend!
Hi Lynn, We laughed at that sign! Happy you like the landscapes and I do have fun with the panorama function on the Fuji. I love the quiet, contemplative beauty in nature which, for me, is the best kind of cathedral. So, yes, we are on the same page. 🙂 Hope you are out and about making great photographs!
Have to say it… you come pretty damned close to fulfilling Annie Leibovitz’s wish! These are utterly lovely captures. Haven’t had the pleasure of visiting, but you make it mighty tempting.
Aw,Gunta, you’ve made my day. Thank you so much. Hopefully, you’ll make it there sometime- it’s a special part of the country. Close to the Grand Canyon, too. Pleased you enjoyed these landscapes.
These are wonderful Jane. Your Sedona light was amazing!
Thanks, Tina. The intermittent storms brought such great light and clouds. Really nice. Glad you enjoyed.
Plaza Blanca Tower. Wow. This looks like a wizards castle to me. So beautiful! ❤️😎
Hi John, Isn’t that a cool formation? This is an amazing place if you ever get to that area. Your description is perfect! Thanks very much.
Jane, you’re going to make lots of people want to travel to Sedona and area! Really beautiful!
Hi Sharon, Thank you! I don’t think they need any help– we were astounded at the crowds for spring break. As you can see from the photos, we managed to avoid them as much as possible. Glad you enjoyed!
Jane, these are really beautiful. Ridgeline is on the top of the list for me. It is dramatic and has so much mystery.
On a more humorous side, how much did you have to pay the person to wear red?
Well seen and photographed. We too (Spirit Vision Photography) love the Santa Fe, Taos area too.
Russ & Suzanne
Thank you, Russ and Suzanne. It is a beautiful part of the country (and it sure has been discovered). We didn’t get up to Taos on this trip but loved it years ago. Appreciate your visit here.
Hi Tim, So glad you like Ridgeline. I was quite obsessed with the silhouettes at sundown that night with those amazing clouds. Ha! That guy in red is my hubby and I guess after all these years his clothing choices for photography are instinctive. No prompting. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed these. Thank you so much.
Jane, you’re welcome.
A thumbs up to your husband for wearing the right clothing without prompting.
I love the rock formations in that area… so majestic and colourful…
Me, too, Maggie, and the layers of colors are amazing. Glad these brought back good memories of a special place. Thanks so much.
Stunning photos all.
Hi Jane, Thank you! Great hiking and dramatic landscapes. 🙂
Well seen and photographed. We too (Spirit Vision Photography) love the Santa Fe, Taos area too.
Russ & Suzanne